Honor the King in his North Kohala birthplace: June 11, 2019

Every June 11th, thousands of people gather on the northern tip of the Big Island of Hawaii to honor Kamehameha I, the chief who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1795.

Kamehameha Day is recognized as a state holiday throughout Hawai'i, but North Kohala is a very special place to celebrate. Kamehameha I was born in North Kohala, where residents played a prominent role in saving his life as an infant.

SMALL town, BIG celebration

Hula Dancers 2013

Although North Kohala is a small community, each year on June 11th it puts forth a large grassroots effort to present a full day of celebration and tribute to King KamehamehaI. Visitors are welcomed to the North Kohala towns of Hawi and Kapa'au on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 to take part in this unique local event. All events are free.

Original statue draped in flowers starts at 8:00 AM. See the original statue of King Kamehameha I in all its holiday glory. The statue in Kapa'au is decorated with many 20-foot-long floral lei created in tribute to the King. Lei draping ceremonies start with an opening blessing, followed by hula, history, and music.

Traditional floral parade 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Watch a traditional pa'u parade with horses and riders adorned in flowers and colors to represent each Hawaiian Island. At 9:00 AM the road closes while honorees, Pa'u riders and floral floats make their way from Hawi to the statue and Kamehameha Park in Kapa'au. Parade to begin promptly at 9:00 AM.

Music, Crafts, Food in the park 11:00 AM-4:00 PM: Enjoy Ho'olaule'a activities at Kamehameha Park in Kapa'au, where you can eat local food, see masters create traditional arts and crafts, watch beautiful hula dancers and listen to award-winning Hawaiian musicians. This is a ZERO waste event. There will be water stations available. Please bring your reusable water bottle.​A trip to this historic area on King Kamehameha Day is sure to be a highlight of a trip to the Islands. While in North Kohala, visitors can take in the natural beauty of ocean cliffs and ranchland, visit breathtaking Pololu Valley, and browse the area's many shops, restaurants, and galleries. Bring a camera.

Kamehameha Day in North Kohala: All-day festivities, all events free, always on June 11th.Funding provided by Hawai'i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program.